78/365 Lychgate, St Edmund's Church

There wasn't any confetti this time, but the day was brighter than my last visit. Apparently, 'lych' is Anglo Saxon and originates from the German word for corpse. The lychgate provided shelter and a resting place for coffin bearers on their way into church.

For some interesting historical information about Allestree, including St Edmund's church see http://www.picturesofderby.co.uk/area_allestree.htm

Here is a detail from the carved stone doorway into the church which dates from Norman times.